Tremer Custom

Different holidays have different traditions, customs and superstitions. Thanksgiving is no exception. On Thanksgiving Day after the turkey is carved the wishbone is put aside to dry. After it is dry, two people will each take an end, make a wish and pull it apart. The one who gets the larger piece is the one whose wish comes true. But how did this superstition start? What is the reason for wishing on a turkey bone?

This custom is over 2,400 years old. The hen was thought to be a soothsayer-one who foretells the future. And as such was thus consulted for answers to problems. A circle was drawn on the ground and divided into parts, each part represented a letter. Grains of corn were placed in each part of the circle. A hen was set in the center of the circle. She went right to the grains of corn and began eating. Each piece of corn she ate was associated with a letter. The letters were interpreted by the high priest. He would then foretell the future given to him by the hen.

After the hen was killed her collarbone was dried. Anyone wishing to benefit from the bird's magic powers would pick up the bone and make a wish, thus the name wishbone.

In the Romans' days there weren't enough of the magic bones. People would grab and fight over the wishbone. They tugged and pulled on it until it broke. The person who was left with the larger piece was the winner. This practice resulted in the saying "to get a lucky break." And it is now our custom for two people to make a wish, pull on the wishbone and after it snaps apart the person with the larger piece is the winner whose wish will come true.

Have a happy thanksgiving and may all your wishes come true.